Lube for Pinewood Derby car ?

[RH]

Is White Lightning good for the steel/plastic meeting of axle/wheel, or should I stick with the tried & true dry graphite powder ?

 

[copfish]

I used dry graphite. Seems to cause less drag. The trick is weight forward and sand the axles (nails) so they are smooth. Good luck!

 

[UW Mitch]

In 6th grade shop class we did a pinewood derby type thing. We were not allowed to use weights, so the only thing I could do was minimize friction. I used "piano wire" for my axles, and brass tube for my axle housing. Like Copfish said, dry graphite lube works great. Another thing to make sure is that your wheels are very true, and you have some kind of low friction spacer between the wheels and the body.

Good luck racing!

~Mitch

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My Hobby Page

 

[RH]

shame shame, Mitch.

Rules say you must use stock axles, wheels, and no washers or bushings between wheel & car.

Graphit it is, then.

 

[UW Mitch]

Well, I guess my shop teacher was just making up his own rules, because he said the washers between the body and wheels was a pretty good idea. Most people seemed to be more concerned with aerodynamics than friction. At 5 mph I highly doubt coefficent of drags weighs heavily in designing a good car.

~Mitch

 

[Pontiaker]

Want to know a real secret that helped me win the three years I competed? From the back of the car drill one hole, about half inch diam, from the back to the front but dont go through the front.Then use mercury as your weight, plug the hole with epoxy.When the car goes down the grade of the track the mercury just kind of hangs in the back of the car, when the car hits the flat the liquid metal sloshes forward lunging to the finish line.I was undefeted.My car was modeled after The Blue Flame land speed record holder.(at one time in the past)Knowing all the ill affects of mercury now, probably a good idea not to mess wiht it anymore! I always used graphite.
Good luck!
Matt

 

[RH]

Ahh yes, mercury.

Another good, but illegal idea. No moving weights allowed.

I finished last night. My Dad oversaw the building of two winning cars for me when I was a kid (still have 'em & trophies). I think the keys are - full weight, low & back, no burrs on moving parts, straight & true wheels, lube. I used the graphite. I probably went a little overboard, since my 3 yr old won't know the difference anyway ! But Daddy had fun !

Aside, to Pontiaker:
Think I should fshion a tiny tiger tail to hang out the back ? Grrrrrrr.

[This message has been edited by RH (edited 02-23-2001).]

 

[Bronco]

Pontiaker,
LOL!

Mercury, eh. Did state law mandate that you clearly post miniature "hazmat" placards on your racer? If your car crashed and went off the track did you have to recover it wearing one of those rubber space suits?

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Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys....

couldn't resist..

Proud Dad I guess..

That's my boy on the right..

The one without and badges...

But Wait...
He was Invested monday night, and prompty earned 2 stars in the same evening.

Once the leaders seen how many badges he has completed in his book, they quickly envoked the "2 Badge a Night" Rule..

He's got about 8-10 completed and only has officially been a Cub for 5 days..

LOL

Anyhoo..
The car won second in Design...
I used silicone for lube,,and it went pretty good until I decided to give it another squirt,,which REALLY bogged it down...

I also deburred the axles on the drill press,and polished them with leather..That did help..

The car also ran better backwards,, so they made him change the stickers around..

He got a bunch of different ribbons in the big race,, so that was kind of cool...
The Trophy really flipped him out...

Good luck with the car..

ttyle

Eric...


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On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing

 

[Javahed]

Check out this link for some excellent pinewood derby tips.

Dan

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Go Get 'em Gear

 

[RH]

We placed 2nd overall, out of 40+ racers.

I am a proud Dad & pit crew chief.

My daughter digs the tiny 'participant' trophy and ribbon better than the big 2nd Pace trophy. Go figure.

 

[Pontiaker]

Ha ha!!! The tiger tail would be great, how about some Ram Air stickers too!

The said car now is for show only in a Hazmat safe plastic bubble incloser, safe from harming any youngsters.

Sounds like you guys had a blast! Brings back alot of fun memories.
Matt

 

[Bronco]

Great picture, Eric. Those smiles say it all.

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Semper Fi

-Bill